Written by: Adriana Jacir • November 14, 2019• Ask the Expert Home

Joy: A Bathroom Makeover

How high on your joy-o-meter is having a beautiful and functional bathroom? I am a firm believer that the spaces we dwell in the most have a huge impact on our daily lives. Along with the kitchen, no one can argue that your bathroom is one of the spaces where we spend the most time. Making it beautiful, fresh and a reflection of your personality is a great way to invite a daily stream of joy into your life. The definition of joy, in my book, is starting and ending your day in a room you love.

Ready to remodel or refresh your bathroom but do not know where to start? Below are some useful tips to keep in mind as you dream about your new spa like bathroom.

Clarity of Space

Regardless if your project is being managed by a design team or not, it is important to know what you like and dislike about the space. This information will guide you to formulate a comprehensive floor plan that will integrate all desired changes. Gather as many images of bathroom spaces you love. Create a solid database to pull from as you make decisions. A bathroom is no place for improvisation, to the best of your abilities measure and draw your space, it will help you calculate the square footage you will need for materials. A floor plan will give you a roadmap that will guide decisions even those made under remodeling stress. PRO TIP: Planning is key to your success. Make at least two options, one with the ideal bathroom (no budget limitations) and then scale it down from there as you define your investment comfort level. Another tip is keeping the same footprint, and locating new plumbing fixtures near existing plumbing pipes; this saves on demolition and reconstruction dollars.

Budget

There are two major budget components to keep in mind when remodeling a bathroom: labor and materials. A bathroom renovation will include some ((if not all) of the following trades: framer, tiler, plumber, electrician and painter. Materials: tile (main floor, shower floor and wall), lighting fixtures (vanity sconces or pendants, chandelier above tub), plumbing fittings (shower and sink faucets, tub, toilet, sink, drain, etc.), vanity cabinet, countertop (quartz, granite, soapstone, etc.), shower or tub glass doors, accessories (mirror, towel bar, toilet paper holder, artwork, towel shelf, décor, etc.). Always allow yourself some extra funds for great fittings and finishes as these will be the finishing touches of your room and ultimately what you will see daily. PRO TIP: It’s important to have your design before you reach out to any trade for estimates. They will be able to give you a firmer price if they know what the design looks like. This will also avoid costly change orders and work stoppages during construction that will ultimately add to the cost of the project.

Hire the right people

It’s key to have the right people to achieve beautiful results. The success of a well-executed project lies in the details. Your idea of a beautifully laid-out marble tile with its spectacular looking natural pattern, is for sure not the same idea that the person doing the tile work has in mind. Make sure to explain your vision of your tile work (pattern, layout, color coordination, etc.) before your tile is glued down. Do not forget to open all of your tile boxes and sort through them before having them set. Colors can vary, and the sorting process will allow you to have more control over which pieces are used where and what pieces are to be discarded. When buying or ordering tile make sure to buy at least 10-15 percent overage, as cracking or breaking sometimes occur during construction or shipping and handling.

A well-executed bathroom is for sure a solid investment on any property. But regardless of payback potential you’ll be glad you went ahead and updated your bathroom(s) as they give a joy score of 10 over 10! However, if after reading this you feel that planning isn’t your strong suit, hire an interior designer. In addition to adding style and efficiency, a professional designer will make sure contractors and installers are scheduled in an orderly fashion and ALL the details will be well looked after.

Share with us your bathroom remodels @2112designs and tag us with #2112designsbathroomremodel! We love to hear about your success story!

Adriana Jacir is founder and owner of 2112 Design Studio. With a master’s degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University in NYC, she offers more than 15 years of experience in the architecture and interior design business. A proud resident of the Palmetto Bay-Pinecrest area. PH: 786.732.0123 – www.2112designstudio.com – Instagram: @2112designs– Email: [email protected]

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